Dying for a degree: University launches Britain's first undergraduate course in funeral directing

A university has launched Britain's first undergraduate degree - in funeral directing.

Students at the University of Bath will learn how to embalm, transport corpses, and choose coffins, as well as burial at sea, funeral rituals and how to comfort grieving relatives.

The course is the first of its kind in the country and includes a placement with a funeral parlour.

Scroll down for more

New course: Students at Bath University can now study for a degree in funeral directing

Dr Glennys Howarth, director of the university's Centre for Death and Society, says they have already received more applications than available places for the course, which was designed with the National Association of Funeral Directors.

She said: "So far there has been a huge amount of interest - applications are still coming in and we have already got far more than the 20-25 places we have to offer.

"We're not teaching them how to handle bodies and carry coffins but we will have courses or arrangements with various funeral directors to teach them those skills if they don't have them.

"But we will be equipping them with more understanding about grief and bereavement and how to deal with things like mass fatalities."

Students can enrol on a two-year diploma or a three-year Foundation Degree in Funeral Services (FDSc).

Experts hope the course will be a shot in the arm for the ailing industry.

John Harris, a partner in Thomas Cribb and Sons in London, has followed his father, grandfather and great grandfather into the trade.

He said: "From a professional point of view it's great because it's filling a gap and enabling people to have an academic qualification.

"In the long term I think this will drive up standards and help us be a more professional business with external verifications."

Share or comment on this article:

Dying for a degree: University launches Britain's first course in funeral directing